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STAMFORD, Conn. — Democratic state Rep. William Tong has thrown his hat into the Stamford mayoral race.

“I am ready to lead this charge as your mayor,” Tong said Monday at a packed Sorrento Pizza & Restaurant.

Tong’s announcement came several days after Mayor Michael Pavia, a Republican, officially decided
not to seek
a second term. Pavia replaced Democrat Dannel Malloy, who did not run for re-election but was elected governor in 2010.

Tong focused much of his announcement on the importance of families and even introduced his Stamford 2020 plan, which he said would make Stamford the best city in the country for families. He said he would hold many town hall meetings during his first 100 days in office so each neighborhood could create its own plan to achieve his goal.

He also said he envisions Stamford as a place where kids are sent to great schools and return to the city to start their own families and where older residents are able to afford to stay in their homes.

Tong is one of several Democrats who had previously expressed an interest in running for mayor. He and David Martin, a Board of Finance member who ran against Pavia in 2009, emerged as favorites in a January
straw poll
held by the Democratic City Committee.

Republican Jerry Pia, a member of the Board of Education, has also been considering a run for mayor.

Tong is currently serving his
fourth term
as the representative of the state’s 147th District, which includes Stamford and Darien. He is attorney with Finn, Dixon & Herling. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children, Eleanor, 6, Penelope, 4, and Sasha, 1.